Article 1 - Family and Beneficiaries
- I am [[married / single / divorced / widowed]]. My spouse's name, if applicable, is [[Spouse Full Name]].
- My children are: [[List Children Full Names, or "none"]]. Any deceased child with surviving issue is noted here: [[Deceased Children and Issue, if any]].
- My parents are: [[Parent Names, or "deceased"]].
Article 2 - Appointment of Executor
I appoint [[Primary Executor Full Name]] of [[Executor City, State]] as Executor of this Will. If [[Primary Executor Full Name]] is unable or unwilling to serve, I appoint [[Alternate Executor Full Name]] as successor Executor.
My Executor shall have full power and authority to administer my estate, including without limitation the power to sell, lease, or mortgage real or personal property, to settle claims, to make distributions in kind or cash, and to do all things necessary or appropriate for the administration of my estate, without court order to the extent permitted by Wisconsin law.
Article 3 - Payment of Debts, Taxes, and Expenses
I direct that all my legally enforceable debts, funeral expenses, expenses of last illness, and costs of administration of my estate be paid as soon after my death as is reasonably practicable. All estate, inheritance, transfer, and succession taxes (including any interest and penalties) payable by reason of my death shall be paid out of the residue of my estate, unless otherwise provided by law or directed herein.
Article 4 - Specific Bequests
I make the following specific bequests:
- To [[Beneficiary 1 Full Name]], I give [[Description of Specific Gift, e.g., "my 2018 Toyota Camry VIN XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX or the sum of $[[Amount]]"]].
- To [[Beneficiary 2 Full Name]], I give [[Description of Specific Gift]].
- To [[Beneficiary 3 Full Name or Organization]], I give [[Description of Specific Gift]].
If any specific beneficiary predeceases me, the bequest shall lapse and become part of the residue unless otherwise provided.
Article 5 - Residuary Estate
I give, devise, and bequeath all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, of whatever nature and wheresoever situated, of which I shall die seized or possessed or to which I shall be entitled at the time of my death (the "Residuary Estate"), to [[Residuary Beneficiary or Beneficiaries, e.g., "my spouse [[Spouse Name]] if living, otherwise to my then-living children in equal shares, per stirpes"]].
If no residuary beneficiary survives me, my Residuary Estate shall be distributed to my heirs at law according to the laws of intestate succession of the State of Wisconsin in effect at my death.
Article 6 - Guardian for Minor Children
If I am survived by any child who is a minor at the time of my death, I appoint [[Guardian Full Name]] as guardian of the person and property of such minor child(ren). If [[Guardian Full Name]] is unable or unwilling to serve, I appoint [[Alternate Guardian Full Name]] as successor guardian.
Article 7 - Powers of Executor and Guardian
My Executor and any guardian appointed hereunder shall have all powers conferred by Wisconsin law, including under the Wisconsin Probate Code (Wis. Stat. chs. 851-879), and any additional powers set forth in this Will. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, they may:
- Retain, sell, exchange, or lease any property.
- Invest and reinvest assets.
- Borrow money and encumber assets.
- Compromise claims.
- Make distributions in cash or in kind.
- Employ attorneys, accountants, and other professionals.
Article 8 - No-Contest Clause
If any beneficiary under this Will, or any person claiming through or under any such beneficiary, directly or indirectly contests or attacks this Will or any of its provisions, or joins with or assists anyone in doing so, then the share of such beneficiary shall be revoked and shall be disposed of as if such beneficiary had predeceased me without issue.
Article 9 - Miscellaneous Provisions
- This Will is executed in the State of Wisconsin and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Wisconsin.
- If any provision of this Will is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
- Headings are for convenience only and shall not affect interpretation.
- References to "children" or "issue" include adopted children and their descendants, unless otherwise indicated.
Article 10 - Execution and Attestation
I, [[Testator Full Legal Name]], the Testator, sign my name to this instrument this [[Will Date]] at [[City, Wisconsin]], and declare that I sign and execute this instrument as my last will and that I sign it willingly, that I execute it as my free and voluntary act for the purposes therein expressed, and that I am eighteen years of age or older, of sound mind, and under no constraint or undue influence.
Testator Signature: _______________________________ Date: _____________
[[Testator Full Legal Name]]
We, the undersigned witnesses, each declare that the Testator signed this instrument in our presence, that the Testator declared it to be the Testator's last will, that we signed as witnesses in the presence of the Testator and of each other at the Testator's request, and that to the best of our knowledge the Testator was at the time of signing of sound mind and memory and acting willingly and voluntarily.
Witness 1 Signature: _______________________________ Date: _____________
Printed Name: [[Witness 1 Full Name]]
Address: [[Witness 1 Address]]
Witness 2 Signature: _______________________________ Date: _____________
Printed Name: [[Witness 2 Full Name]]
Address: [[Witness 2 Address]]
Self-Proving Affidavit (Optional but Recommended)
State of Wisconsin
County of [[County]]
We, [[Testator Full Legal Name]], [[Witness 1 Full Name]], and [[Witness 2 Full Name]], the Testator and the witnesses, respectively, whose names are signed to the attached or foregoing instrument, being first duly sworn, do hereby declare to the undersigned authority that the Testator signed and executed the instrument as the Testator's last will and that the Testator had signed willingly (or willingly directed another to sign for the Testator), and that the Testator executed it as the Testator's free and voluntary act for the purposes therein expressed; and that each of the witnesses, at the request of the Testator, in the presence and hearing of the Testator and of each other, signed the will as witness and that to the best of the witnesses' knowledge the Testator was at that time of full age, of sound mind and memory, and under no constraint or undue influence.
Testator: ________________________________
Witness 1: ________________________________
Witness 2: ________________________________
Subscribed, sworn to, and acknowledged before me by the Testator and the witnesses on [[Date]].
Notary Public Signature: ________________________________
My commission expires: ______________
(Seal)
Sample template for Wisconsin - not legal advice. Execution requirements and self-proving procedures reference Wis. Stat. §§ 853.03, 853.04, 853.07 and related probate provisions as of June 2026. Holographic wills have limited recognition in Wisconsin; attested wills with two witnesses are standard. Verify current law, tax implications, and consult a Wisconsin-licensed estate planning attorney. This document does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Article 11 - Digital Assets
If applicable, I authorize my Executor to access, manage, or distribute my digital assets (email accounts, social media, cloud storage, cryptocurrency) in accordance with Wis. Stat. ch. 711 (Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act) and any written instructions I provide separately.
Article 12 - Funeral and Burial Wishes
I request that my remains be [[cremated / buried / other]] at [[location or per family decision]]. My Executor shall arrange a [[memorial service / funeral]] consistent with my known wishes and available estate funds. These wishes are precatory and not binding if they conflict with law or practical necessity.
Article 13 - Simultaneous Death
If any beneficiary and I die under circumstances making it impossible to determine order of death, it shall be presumed that I survived the beneficiary for purposes of this Will.
Article 14 - No Bond Required
I direct that no bond or other security be required of any Executor, guardian, or trustee appointed or serving under this Will, to the maximum extent permitted by Wisconsin law.
Article 15 - Construction and Titles
The titles of articles and sections are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or construction of any provision. References to statutes include any amendments or successor provisions.
Article 16 - Severability
If any provision of this Will is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect any other provision, and this Will shall be construed as if the invalid provision had never been included.
Article 17 - Governing Law
This Will and the administration of my estate shall be governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin.
